Abstract
Objective To evaluate the design and clinical application of forearm proximal radial inferior cubital artery perforator flap. Methods The clinical data of 11 patients with defects of anterior elbow from June 2013 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively, in which including 8 male and 3 female, mean age is 51.5 years old, ranged from 48 to 76 years old. The sizes of soft tissue defects ranged from 7.5 cm×4.5 cm to 14 cm×7 cm. Forearm proximal inferior cubital artery perforator flaps were used to repair the defects according to flap their location, size and shape, in which the largest is 15 cm×10 cm and the smallest is 7 cm×5 cm. To evaluate the effect according to flap survival, infection control, elasticity and color, appearance, the scar of the donor site, cutaneous sense, and satisfaction of patients. The elbow efficacy and function were evaluated according to Mayo criteria and the swelling degree of flap was also evaluated. Results All the flaps survived in 11 cases, the incisions in donor and recipient site were primary healing. The survival of flaps is good and the appearance, color and elasticity are close to normal, on the other hand, the scar at the donor site is small after 6 to 36 months follow-up. The efficacy is satisfied in 8 cases, general in 3 cases and no dissatisfactory. The function of elbow is excellent in 4 cases, good in 6 cases and general in 1 case. Skin swelling rating in early stage is 1st degree in 6 cases, 2nd degree in 3 cases, 3rd degree in 2 cases; in later stage is 1st degree in 8 cases, 2nd degree in 2 cases, 3rd degree in 1 case. Conclusions The anatomic position of forearm proximal radial inferior cubital artery perforator flap is constant, the blood supply is good, and the operation method is simple and safe which could be a new supplementary method and be available for clinical selection to repair the soft tissue defects of elbow. Key words: Forearm; Inferior cubital artery; Surgical flap; Microsurgical technique; Curative effect evaluation
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